1,400 Miles Later

1,400 miles later, we are back home in Atlanta. We had a great time seeing friends and family during our Mississippi Edition of the Caston World (Support Raising) Tour. Thanks to all of our praying friends!

Mississippi Road Trip '09, Part 3: Tupelo

Yesterday, we attended Lawndale and had lunch with a group of friends at the home of Whitney and Marcus Ueltschey. Great time! In the evening, we enjoyed a dinner hosted for us by Lawndale, and then I had the huge privilege to share a mini-version of our church planting vision as well as to preach. Today I am meeting folks all day at the Atlanta Bread Company in Tupelo.

Our over-the-top hospitalble hosts for the weekend have been Julie and Steve Brister, close friends from back in Kristy's high school days. Yes, it's a small world... especically in Mississippi. : )

Mississippi Road Trip, Part 2: At the Crawford's

Tonight we had a really great meeting with friends in Jackson at the home of Libby and Jack Crawford, some of our closest friends. Libby made a wonderful dinner (and way to go Amanda on the desert- wow!), and allowed us to go way over in our church plant presentation. It was like a college reunion. Thanks, Jack and Libby! You served us so well. And thanks to those who made the sacrifice to be with us. We appreciate y'all so very much.

Mississippi Road Trip '09, Part 1

Tonight we had the privilege to share about the chruch plant to a group of friends in Greenwood, MS, at the home of Amy and Lee Coleman. Super good food (including some unreal deer sausage and mustard dip!) added to a special evening.

We arrived early this afternoon and the kids got to do some serious outside playing—even played mud football in the rain-soaked front yard. As a side note, we barely escaped a tornado that went over Benton last night. Thankfully, it did not touch down in Benton, but from what I understand, did destroy a few homes near the interstate and down trees.

Tomorrow it is off to Jackson... more to come. Thanks for praying as we seek to raise up a support team for the Dahlonega Church Plant.

Latest E-Newsletter

The latest Dahlonega Church Plant e-newsletter was published today. To view it, click here.

First Tooth Pics

Here are a couple of pics from when Sarah Wynn lost her first tooth recently. The video is below in a previous post.

Professor Ann Ferris

Ann Ferris, after seven years of Latin, is branching out into Greek, and having a great time. In fact, she loves it so much, she is teaching Sarah Wynn the Greek alphabet. : )

Two Birthday Pics

Okay, after a long wait, I'm finally getting around to posting a couple of pics from Schaeffer's 11th birthday.

Pictures... Coming Soon... Really.

Okay, no pictures last night. Sorry. Tonight... hopefully. : )

Schaeffer's Birthday Pics Coming Soon

Sunday was Schaeffer's 11th birthday, and he had a great weekend! I hope to post some pics tonight.

Chick-fil-A

We got home from Chick-fil-A tonight and saw this on Facebook. Another Tim Hawkins classic! : )

Facebook and Twitter

Are you on Facebook or Twitter? If you are, friend me, and be sure to join The Dahlonega Church Plant group on FB.

Flower Child Cowgirl

I could not resist posting this picture of our "Flower Child Cowgirl."

Superior... again!

Yesterday, Ann Ferris participated in her sixth National Piano Festival, and received her sixth straight Superior rating. She was very, very excited. I don't have a picture because she had to perform before a judge "behind closed doors." But I was at the door and heard her pieces, which I must agree, were superior! 

Davy Crocket

This past Monday, Schaeffer made a presentation of Davy Crocket to fellow students and parents. Wearing a real leather shirt and coonskin cap and carrying a powder-horn and real musket, he definitely looked the part, and did a great job with the presentation (with an authentic, country boy accent and everythang).

Tennis Lessons and Date Night

Schaeffer had his second private tennis lesson today with Tim at Laurel Springs, and is making huge strides. It is so fun to see him improve so quickly. Way to go, little buddy! : )  

Tonight, I enjoyed date night with Kristy at Jason's Deli. Decent food. Great company.

I Luv Yoo Mome

Sarah Wynn drew this picture for Kristy on the whiteboard at home.  : )

Sarah Wynn Loses First Tooth

Sarah Wynn lost her first tooth today while biting into an apple. She is very, very excited.

Weekend Update

This morning I spoke to the men's missions breakfast at Westminster Church in Gainesville, GA, and Kristy spoke (on Esther) at the women's retreat for East Lanier Community Church.  She got home this afternoon after a wonderful time in the mountains (even though it rained most of the time). I enjoyed playing a tea party game with Sarah Wynn, and watching and playing some basketball with Schaeffer. 

Tomorrow I am sharing about the church plant in 4 Sunday School classes at Westminster. They are also going to show our vision video and do an interview during the service. Chuck and Tom, the two teaching pastors at Westminster, are such great, gospel-loving guys, and such an encouragement to me.

Anyway, we hear it is supposed to snow around 3 inches tomorrow. I'll believe it when I see it. : )

Kristy Speaking at Women's Retreat

Kristy is teaching at East Lanier Community Church's Women's Retreat this weekend at Amicalola State Park.  She is talking on Esther, and it is going to be awesome. Wish I could be there!

Private Lessons and Drama Class

Schaeffer began private tennis lessons today and did great. Not only did he enjoy it, but he saw immediate improvement in his game. Way to go, Schaeffer! And this afternoon, Ann Ferris and Sarah Wynn both attended their weekly drama/acting class. Fun stuff...

CC, Lunch at Moe's, and Support Rraising

The kids had a great day at CC today. I picked Sarah Wynn up for a special "daddy lunch date" to Moe's, and then took her back home with me. She played. I worked on support raising for the church plant. So far so good. We have great friends who are passionate about the spread of the gospel. They are faithful. I am thankful. 

House Hunting, Etc.

Yesterday Kristy and I spent the afternoon with a realtor friend looking at homes in Dahlonega. What a fun day. We LOVE that area and can't wait to get up there. Today was a massive spring cleaning day. Not as much fun—but so needed. The house definitely feels clean and comfy. Tomorrow we are going to Christ Community Church in Acworth, GA, to interview for support. I have preached there many times, and have a great connection to our friends over there. Anyway, we will show our vision video in the service and I will have a few minutes to follow up, sharing more about the vision for the new church.

Church Plant Vision Video

This is the Dahlonega Church Plant vision video that was shown at Perimeter Church in Atlanta a few weeks ago.

Daddy-Daughter Pictures

These pics were taken before I took Ann Ferris and Sarah Wynn to the Father-Daughter Dance last week.

The Sunday Funnies

When we used to get the paper a while back, we really enjoyed the "Sunday Funnies." Well, here is a Sunday funny that is... well... well, you just have to see it to believe it.  : )

Father-Daughter Dance Video

Here is the video of last night's CHEER Homeschool Father-Daughter Dance at Perimeter Church. We danced the night away!

Recess/Lunch at Classical Conversations

Here is a short video from scenes of the lunch/recess time at Classical Conversations, which meets at Perimeter Church on Mondays.  Our kids love it!

Pictures from Vision Video Sunday at Perimeter

Here are some pictures from the Sunday that our church plant "vision video" was shown at Perimeter. Photos by Julie Melendez.

A Day at ELCC

Here is a short video of a morning at East Lanier Community Church, the church where we are spending the second year of my church planting residency.

Perimeter Church Planter Lunch

Today, Kristy and I enjoyed time with the Perimeter Church Planting team at the Cargo's home. Please do not tell the immigration office about this video.

McDonald's Interview at Perimeter

This past weekend at the Dahlonega Church Plant "video premier" at Perimeter, we had the opportunity to interview some good friends of ours from Atlanta, Brittany and Joe McDonald. Enjoy.

Video of Church Planting Conference in Orlando

Here is a 2 minute video of our recent week in Orlando, FL, for the GCA Church Planting Conference. It was such a great time of being equipped, of seeing old friends and making new ones, and of just being together. The video was filmed in widescreen, so the right side is clipped a bit, but you'll still get the idea. And thanks again to Nini for staying with our kids!

Dahlonega Church Plant Featured at Perimeter

This past weekend the Dahlonega Church Plant was featured at all the weekend services with a vision video and by having our family introduced on stage. Bob Cargo, the director for church planting at Perimeter, introduced us and prayed for us. We also had an information table set up in the main lobby where we enjoyed talking to many, many folks—lots of whom were very enthusiastic about the new church. Several high school seniors who will be attending NGCSU introduced themselves. Needless to say, we are very excited about doing ministry in a college town!

Sarah Wynn: "Eye of the Tiger"

Getting ready for her American Idol audition.

Church Planting Conference in Orlando

Here is a 2 minute video of our recent week in Orlando, FL, for the GCA Church Planting Conference. It was such a great time of being equipped, of seeing old friends and making new ones, and of just being together. The video was filmed in widescreen, so the right side is clipped a bit, but you'll still get the idea. And thanks again to Nini for staying with our kids!

Back from Orlando

Kristy and I have been out of town this week in Orlando, Florida, for a church planting conference. We had such a great time being equipped, seeing old friends and making new one, and just being together. I captured some of our conference experience on video and hope to post it tomorrow or Monday. Stay tuned. Oh yeah... thanks to Nini for keeping the children for us!

Sarah Wynn's CC Class

This past Monday I filmed a short clip of Sarah Wynn in her Classical Conversations class.  It is a highlight of her week!

Nini Arrives!

Nini arrives!!! And yes, she brought plenty of chocolate. As you can tell, we are really glad that she is here—and not just because of the chocolate. : )

Nini's Comin' to Town

Nini is coming to town today, and the kids are really fired up.  Get ready for three kids on a sugar high for a week...  There is no telling how much chocolate will show up with her. : )